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It Could Have Been Us

I have watched the Disney fireworks while my kiddos played in the sand, late at night as we waited for the day’s end after hours of fun at the Magic Kingdom.

I have lived in Florida for 25 years. I have seen alligators in almost every body of water, including swimming pools. My family has done dozens of triathlons all over the state and many of them in the lakes of central Florida.

Alligators are everywhere. And while we are wary, and there are definitely lakes everyone KNOWS are full of gators, I can tell you that at Disney World, I would never have expected this tragedy.

This is another one of those horrible incidents where it could have been anyone. Parents who live in Florida and especially those who have visited Disney’s Grand Floridian and played on that beach, are all thinking of the many times this could have been their child.

To the parents: I am so very sorry for your loss. In your heartbreak now there will be added the sting of ignorant fools who blame you for this tragedy. Please know that I am not one of them. We’ve lived in Florida all these years and even been on that very same beach and a loss like this just takes my breath away.

To the fools who think this was an easily avoidable tragedy: People like you make me so angry because you’ll troll websites and social media blaming and saying the most thoughtless, horrific comments about REAL PEOPLE with a REAL LOSS. The worst is that you honestly believe that this COULD NEVER HAPPEN TO YOU. Just like with the Austin and Perry tragedy last summer, you are all the Perfect Parents who would never place your child in danger. Danger is everywhere. Accidents and tragedies befall the innocent. And I hope to God you never experience the kind of pain these parents are now forced to walk through made even worse by the “Perfect Parents” of the world.

I can’t begin to imagine the pain these poor parents are experiencing. The beating they are giving theirselves thinking they could of, should of, would of, beatings. Why must we induce more pain by blaming them! They are wonderful parents sharing time with their children. Do people really think they would of placed their child in such danger. I am greving with them, praying for them. May God bless them in their sorrow. May they know He is there walking by their side, holding their dead so. In His arms.